Press for making electrotype molds



5 Sheets-Sheet l G. W. BUNGAY PRESS FOR MAKING ELECTROTYPE MOLDS Filed Sept. 27, 1940 INVENTOR. WGEORGE 14/ fiu/vam wfyak/ ATTORNEY.

March 9, 1943.

March 1943- G. w. BUNGAY 2,313,623

PRESS FOR MAKING ELECTROTYPE MOLDS Filed Sept. 27, 1940 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

March 9, 1943. e. w. BUNGAY 2,313,623

. PRESS FOR MAKING ELECTROTYPE MOLDS Filed Sept. 2'7, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. GEORGE W BUA/GAY BY ATTORNEY.

March 9, 1943.

G. w. BUNGAY 2,313,623 PRESS FOR MAKING ELECTROTYPE MOLDS Filed Sept. 27, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

/ GeonasWBuwemv G. W. BUNGAY v PRESS FOR MAKING ELECTROTYPE MOLDS n Filed Sept. 27, 1940 March 9, 1943.

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5 Sheets-Sheet 5' 1 INVENTOR.

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QNETEE STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESS FQER MAKING ELEGIROTYPE MOLDS George w. Bungay, New York, N. Y. Application September 27, 1940, Serial No. 358,741

9 @laims.

This invention relates to a hydraulic molding press for making a thermoplastic electrotype mold of the type and according to the process set forth in my copending application, Serial No. 358,739, for "Electrotype mold and method of making same," filed on even date herewith. That application discloses a process in which a sheet of synthetic thermoplastic material is blackleaded, placed on the type form which is to be impressed therein, is heated to a temperature suited to render the thermoplastic material pliable for molding, and is then molded under high pressure in a press having cooling means associated therewith so that the sheet is cooled and set while under molding pressure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a molding press for the above purpose having novel and improved details of construction and combinations of parts.

Another object is to provide a molding Press of the type above indicated which may be set to exert a predetermined molding pressure.

Another object is to provide a molding press 'of the above type which is quicksacting and which maintains a predetermined pressure during the molding operation.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved molding press of the above type which is capable of forming and immediatel cooling the thermoplastic material so as to produce a thermoplastic mold having characteristics suited for making an electrotype plate therefrom.

Another object is to provide a molding press of the above type which is suited for operation under commercial conditions.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are pointed out more particularly in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself will be better understood by referring to the following de scription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a specific embodi- Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic system; and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through the adjustable, spring-loaded, pressure-regulating valve.

In the following description and in the claims, certain specific terms are used for convenience in referring to various details of the invention. These terms, however, are to be given as broad an interpretation as the state of the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the press is shown as comprising a. stationary head it (Figures 1 to 4) which is mounted on a plurality of pedestal bolts H. The head is supported upon suitable shoulders formed on said pedestal bolts II and is secured by securing nuts A cylinder i4 (Figures 3 and 4) is provided with a plurality of bosses l5 through which the pedestal bolts II extend andwhich rest on the bolt heads 86.

The head it is provided with a plurality of I ducts so which may be formed in said head or ment thereof has been set forth for purposes Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-5 of Figure 3;

may comprise pipes cast therein (Figures 1 and 4). The ducts 20 extend entirely across the head and are connected for the serial flow of fluid therethrough by cover plates 2 i. The fluid, such as cooling water, is supplied by a supply pipe 22 and is discharged through a discharge pipe 28.

The cylinder isiFigure 4) contains a piston or ram 25 carrying-a plurality of piston rings 26. The upper end of the ram 25 is provided with a flange 21 and carries a platen 28 which may be secured thereto by bolts 29g which extend through said flange 21. The platen'28 is formed with guides 89 having arcuate surfaces bearing against the pedestal bolts ii for guiding the platen as it is raised and lowered by the ram 25. The platen 28 is provided with a plurality of ducts at which may be formed therein or may comprise pipes cast therein and connected in a manner similar to theducts 20 of the head It for the serial fiow of fluid therethrough.

A pair of brackets 34 are shown as secured to the head id by bolts 85. The brackets 34 are provided with horizontal flanges 36 which are spaced to provide clearance for the passage of.

cylinder M. In order to hold the platen in a slightly raised position, for example in a position wherein the top surface thereof registers with the flanges 36 of the brackets 34, a pair of stop arms 45 and 46 are provided. The arms 45 and 46 are mounted on rods 41 and 48 respectively which are joumaled in bosses 49 and 50 formed on the cylinder I4. The rods 41 and 48 extend to the back of the cylinder I4 and carry arms SI and 52 respectively which are connected by a cross link 53, the arrangement being such that the link 53 causes th stop arms 45 and 46 to swing in unison to their operative or in operative positions. Stops 54 and 55 are formed on the stop arms 45 and 46 to limit their outward movement (as shown in Figure 4). Adjustable bolts 56 and 51 are secured in the upper ends of the arms 45 and 46. These bolts may be adjusted and secured by lock nuts 58 and 59 respectively and are adapted, when the arms 45 and 46 are swung inwardly, to engage beneath the flange 21 of the ram 25 and thus limit-the downward movement of the platen 28. One of the rods 41 or 48, shown, for example, as the rod 48 (Figure 3), extends to the front of the machine and carries a set lever 60 by which the position of the arms 45 and 46 is controlled.

A platform 65 (Figures 2 and 3) is secured to the bosses I and extends to the front of the press. A reservoir 66 is attached to the platform 65 and rests upon the floor to provide a support for said platform. The platform 65 carries a motor 61, a low pressure pump 68, and a high pressure pump 69. The pumps 68 and 69 are connected, by suitable gears (not shown) mounted in a gear box 10, to the shaft H of the motor 61. A starting box 12, containing the usual motor-starting relays, may be mounted on the motor 61.

A pair of vertical brackets are attached to saddles 16 which are clamped by means of U- bolts 11 to the front pedestal bolts II. The brackets 15 carry a hot table 80 which is attached thereto by bolts 8| and is provided with a plurality of ducts 82 by which heating fluid, such as steam, may be circulated therethrough. The hot table 80 is provided with a top 19, forming a heated apron for the purpose to be described.

One of the brackets 15 carries a control valve 83 which, as shown more in detail in Figure 5, comprises a housing 84 and a valve slide 85 attached to a valve rod 86 which extends through a suitable packing gland 81 in the housing 84. The control rod 88 is attached by means of a link 9i! (Figure 2) to an operating handle 9I which is pivoted on a plate 92 attached to the valve 83. A push-button switch 94 for controlling the operation of the motor 61 is also at tached to said bracket 15.

The other bracket 15 carries an adjusting wheel 98 attached to a shaft 99 which actuates an adjustable spring-loaded, pressure-regulating valve I00 (shown in detail in Figure 6). The valve I00 comprises a housing IOI having a valve chamber I02 formed therein and communicating with an inlet port I03 and an outlet port I04. A valve plunger I 05 is provided with a conical valve surface I06 normally seated against a registering surface of the housing to close the inlet port I03 and held in that position by a compression spring I01. The spring I01 is seated between the valve plunger I05 and a ball-bearing collar I08 which is carried by a pin I09 formed on theend of the shaft 99. The shaft 99 is threaded, as at I I0, in the housing I0] and extends outwardly through a packing gland III containing suitable packing II2, shown as a U- shraped annular packing of the expansible type.

The plunger I05 is provided with a pin II4 which is adapted to engage the pin I09 on the shaft 99 to form a stop for limiting the movement of the plunger. The plunger is made to have a sliding fit in the valve chamber I02 and has suiflcient clearance to permit the fluid to leak past the plunger and fill the entire space within the chamber. The fluid thus exerts a damping effect and prevents the plunger from chattering. The housing IN is also provided with a chamber H5 which provides clearance for the threaded portion of the shaft 99. Suitable leakage ducts (not shown) may be formed in the housing to permit the fluid from the chamber I02 to enter and fill the chamber H5 and the packing gland III so as to maintain the entire device under pressure and to expand the U-shaped packing II2 so as to make a fluidtlght seal with the shaft 99.

The piping connections for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder I4 may be best understood by referring to Figure 5. The low pressure pump 68, which may comprise a gear pump of any well-known type, is connected by a pipe I20 to receive fluid, such as oil, from the reservoir 66. A suitable strainer or the like I2I may be attached to the inlet end of the pipe I20. The high pressure side of the pump 68 is connected by a pipe I22 through a T-coupling I23 to a reducing coupling I24. The coupling I23 is connected by a pipe I to a pressure-relief valve I26 of standard construction, and thence through a pipe I21 to the reservoir 66. The pressurerelief valve I26'is provided with a spring-loaded plunger I which normally closes the valve I25 but allows the same to open when the pressure in the pipe I25 is built up to a predetermined value. a

The reducing coupling I24 is connected by a pipe I 32 to the low pressure side of the high pressure pump 69, which may be of any convenient type, such as a rotary piston pump, suited to build up a fluid pressure of several tons per square inch, but to discharge a comparatively small quantity of fluid. The coupling I24 is also connected through a check valve I and a pipe I36 to a port I31 of the control valve 03. The check valve I35 permits the fluid to flow from the pump 68 to the control valve 83 but prevents flow of fluid in the reverse direction.

The high pressure side of the high pressure pump 69 is connected by means of a pipe I48 through couplings HI and I42 to a coupling I43 in the pipe I36. The coupling I is connected by a pipe I44 to the inlet port I03 of the springloaded, pressure-regulating valve I00. The outlet port I04 of said valve is connected by a pipe I45 to the reservoir 66. s The coupling I42 is connected by a pipe I46 to a pressure gauge I41.

The control valve 83 is provided with an outlet port I50 which is connected by a pipe I5I to a port I52 in the cylinder I4 (Figure 4). The valve 83 is also providedwith a return port I53 which is connected by a pipe I54 to the reservoir 66. The valve slide is adapted to connect the outlet port I50 of the valve 83 to either the inlet port I31 or the return port I53 according to the position thereof as determined by the position of the operating handle 9I (Figure 2).

In the operation of this press for the molding of a thermoplastic electrotype mold in accordance with the process set forth in my copending application above mentioned, a thermoplastic sheet material is placed upon a type form or the like, the impression of which is to be transferred to the sheet. A suitable soft backing material is applied thereto, and the assembly is heated by suitable means to a temperature suficiently high to render the thermoplastic material pliable for molding. The assembly is then placed upon the apron I9 which is maintained, by means of a heating fluid, such as steam, circulated through the ducts 82, at a temperature sumciently high to prevent the form and thermoplastic sheet from cooling appreciably before they are inserted in the press.

The stationary head I and the platen 28 are maintained cool by mean of a cooling fluid, such as cold water, which is circulated through the ducts 20 and 3| respectively. If the type form is composed of the usual type and half-tone cuts which are of substantial thickness and are consequently capable of retaining heat for an appreci- .able time, the platen 2B is brought into alignpump 89 is then returned by means of the pipe ment with the flanges 35% of the brackets 35. For 1 this purpose, the stop arms 5 and tit are shifted, by operation of the set lever be, into operative position wherein they engage beneath the flange 27 of the ram 25. The bolts 558 are then adjusted to engage the flange 2? of the ram and stop the downward movement thereof when the platen 28 reaches the desired level. The form, together with the thermoplastic sheet material and the backing material, is then slid into the channel formed by the brackets 3d, the flanges 36, and the top of the platen 28. The cold platen 2d tends to cool the form, but inasmuch as the forming operation take place immediately, the temperature of the thermoplastic sheet material is not appreciably lowered thereby until the forming operation is completed by the operation of the ram 25, in the manner to be described.

In the event that the form constitutes a pattern plate or a. thin original which is substantially thinner than standard type and consequently is more readily cooled when coming in contact with a cold surface, the stop arms 65 and 46 may be shifted by mean of the set lever it to the position shown in Figure 4, so as to release the ram and permit the same to come to rest in its lower position against the boss 38 of the cylinder I I. In this position, the top of the platen 28 is below the plane of the flanges 3B of the bracket 34. The form is then positioned on the flanges 38 and is held thereby out oi contact with the cold platen 28 so that the platen is prevented from cooling the assembly until the molding operation is .begun.

In order to supply the fluid under hydraulic pressure for molding purposes, the motor 6? is started by actuating the switch 94, thereby causing the pumps 68 and 69 to be in operation. The

pump 68 supplies fluid, for example oil, at a comparatively tow pressure, such as 25 lbs. per inch. Fluid under this pressure passes through the pipe I32 to the high pressure pump as and through the check valve I35 to fill the system. As soon as the pressure of the fluid inthe pipe I35 is built up, by the operation oi. the pump to, to a pressure above that in the pipe I82, the stop valve I35 closes, and the high pres= sure system, including the pipe I 38 and the pipe its, is maintained at a pressure determined by setting of the adjustable, spring-loaded, pressure-regulating valve IGIi.

Adjustment of the fluid pressure is then made actuating the adjusting wheel 98 and noting reading of the gauge is? so as to obtain the only a limited further movement M5 to the reservoir. Likewise, any excess of fluid pumped by the pump 68 isreturned through the pressure-relief valve I26 and the pipe I 21 to the reservoir. Inasmuch as the capacity of the low pressure pump 68 is much greater than that of the high pressure pump 69, a substantial quantity of fluid will under normal conditions be returned through the pipe I21. The pipe I normally returns the portion of the fluid pumped by the high pressure pump 69 that is not required for making up the leakage loss or for maintaining the desired pressure on the system.

With the fluid pressure built up and regulated as above indicated, the press is now ready for operation. The operating lever SI is then actuated to shift the valve slide and to connect the pipe I5I, which leads to the cylinder I4, to the high pressure pipe I 36. When this occurs, the highpressure fluid is supplied beneath the ram 25 and tends to elevate the ram andthe platen it.

The cylinder It is of comparatively large volume with respect to the capacity of the high pressure pump E9, and if this pump were relied upon for elevating the ram, the operation would be comparatively slow. However, in elevating the ram, only sufiicient force is required to overcome the weight of the parts, and this force may be obtained by supplying fluid directly from the low pressure pump 68. Consequently, as soon as the pressure on the pipe I36 is relieved by actuation of the valve slide 85, the check valve I35 opens and allows fluid from the pipe-I22 to pass directly through the pipe I36, the valve 83 and the pipe I5I to the cylinder I 4, thereby rapidly elevating the ram until the mold assembly is the ram is released by actuating the operating handle 9i to shift the valve slide 85 so as to close the port It? and to connect the pipe I5I with the return pipe the (as shown in Figure 5 The supply of fluid under pressure to the cylinder IQ is thus interrupted, and the fluid in the cylinder is allowed to return to the reservoir 66.

By way of example, the low pressure pump $3 may build up a pressure in the pipe I22 of 25 lbs. per sq. inch, whereas the high pressure pump may 'build up a pressure of 50 tons per sq. inch. By means of the system above de scribed, the full capacity of the low pressure pump 68 is utilized for causing the major portion of the movement of the ram 25. After contact has been made with the stationary head III, of the ram takes place. The fluid for effecting this limited movement is supplied by the high pressure pump 9, and the predetermined high pressure is automatically maintained by the high pressure pump at the point determined by the setting of the valve tilt.

Inasmuch as the entire operation is extremely rapid, it would be impractical to adjust the mold-= ing pressure while the molding operation is tait-= ina place. The present invention, however, pro

vides for pre -setting the molding pressure.

Ihen, by the simple operation of the operating lever 9!, the molding pressure is built up to the desired point and is maintained at that point until the molding operation is completed.

In certain instances, the heated apron 'I! may be omitted. It has been iound useful, however, in order to prevent the form from cooling prior to the molding operation while it is being made ready for insertion in the press. II it is found that contact with the cold. platen 28 does not unduly cool the thermoplastic sheet, the form may be inserted directly on the platen instead of being positioned on the raised flanges 36. In such instances, the brackets 34 may be omitted or the platen may be brought into an elevated position by means or the stop arms 45 and 46 above described.

It may be found that when operating with certain materials the cooling of the platen 28 or of the head M, or both, maybe unnecessary, in which event the circulation of cooling fluid to the ducts 20 or 3| may be interrupted.

In the embodiment above described, the cold head i and platen 28 serve to cool the thermoplastic material to a sufficiently low temperature to set the same while it is held under forming pressure, so that, when the pressure is released and the mold is removed from the type form, the type impressions are permanently retained therein in a condition suitable for the formation of an electrotype plate therefrom. Due to the high pressure employed and the cooling of the mold while under molding pressure, the type impressions are sharp and clearly defined and the mold is capable of producing an electrotype plate of extremely high quality. 1

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, it is 'to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein as will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art. The invention is only to be limited in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A press for molding an electrotype mold on a type form or the like, comprising a stationary head mounted on pedestal bolts, a movable platen adapted to cooperate with said head for applying molding pressure to said mold, guides on said platen bearing against said pedestal bolts to guide said platen as it is raised and lowered, interconnected stop means to hold the platen at an intermediate position above its fully retracted position, downwardly extending brackets carried by said head and having flanges out of alignment with the path of said platen and registering with the top surface thereof when in said intermediate position to guide and support said type form or the like prior to molding, and means rendering said stop means inoperative whereby the platen is allowed to drop to its fully retracted position out of contact with the type form supported on said flanges.

2. A press for molding an electrotype mold on a type form or the like, comprising a stationary head, a movable platen adapted to cooperate with said head for applying molding pressure to said mold, stop means comprising arms adapted to hold said platen in an intermediate position above its fully retracted position, said arms being interconnected and pivoted for movement into pistonreleasing position wherein the platen is released and allowed to assume its fully retracted position, and a set lever to actuate said pivoted arms.

3. A press for molding an electrotype mold on a type form or the like, comprise a stationary head, a movable platen adapts to cooperate with said head for applying molding pressure to said mold, stop means comprising pivoted arms adapted to hold the platen in an intermediate position above its fully retracted position, stationary supporting means comprising flanges out of alignment with the path of said platen and registering with the top surface thereof when in said intermediate position to guide and support said type form or the like prior to molding, said arms being pivoted for movement to inoperative position for releasing said platen and allowing the same to assume its fully retracted position, and a set lever to actuate said arms.

4. A press for molding an electrotype mold on a type form or the like, comprising a stationary head mounted on pedestal bolts, a movable platen adapted to cooperate with said head for applying molding pressure to said mold, guides on said platen bearing against said pedestal bolts to guide said platen as it is raised and lowered, a ram carrying said platen and having a peripheral flange, stop means comprising arms adapted to engage beneath said flange for holding said platen in an intermediate position above its fully retracted position, a stationary support comprising brackets out of alignment with the path of said platen and registering with the top surface thereof when in said intermediate position to guide and support said type form or the like prior to molding, said arms being interconnected and pivoted for simultaneous movement out of the path of said flange for releasing said platen and allowing the same to assume its fully re tracted position out of contact with the type form supported on said brackets.

5. A press for molding an electrotype mold on a type form or the like, comprising a stationary head, a movable platen adapted to cooperate therewith, and hydraulic means to actuate said platen comprising a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected to actuate said platen, a line supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder for actuating said piston, a control valve to control a supply of fluid from said line to said cylinder, a high pressure pump connected to maintain a predetermined fluid pressure in said line regardless of the position of said control valve, 9. low pressure pump connected in series with said high pressure pump and to saidline through a check valve, said low pressure pump having a fluid capacty greater than said high pressure pump whereby fluid for initiating the operation of said piston is supplied thereby to cause said piston to be elevated'rapidly to molding position, said checkvalve being adapted to close when a pressure greater than that supplied by said low pressure pump is built up by said high pressure pump whereby the predetermined high molding' pressure is maintained in said line after the piston reaches molding position.

6. A press for molding an electrotype mold on a type form or the like, comprising a stationary head, a movable platen adapted to cooperate therewith, and hydraulic means to actuate said platen comprising a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected to actuate said platen, a line supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder for actuating said piston, a control valve to control a supply of fluid from said line to said cylinder, 8. low pressure high capacity pump connected to said line through a check valve, 1:. pressure-relief valve connected in said :capacity pump connected to receive fluid from the high pressure side of said low pressure pump and to supply fluid at a higher pressure to said line, an adjustable pressure-regulating valve connected to control the pressure built up by said high pressure pump, whereby the system may be preset to operate at apredetermined high pressure and, when the control valve is actuated to supply fluid to said cylinder, the fluid is first supplied by said low pressure pump through said check valve to initiate the operation of the piston and to cause the piston to be elevated rapidly to molding position, and whereby moldingpressure is subsequently supplied by said high pressure pump after the pressure in said linehas been built up to a; value suflicient to close said check valve. 7

.7. A press for molding an electrotype moldon a type form or the like, comprising a stationary line and, when the control valve is actuated to supply fluid to said cylinder, fluid is first supplied from said low pressure pump through said head, a movable platen adapted to cooperate" therewith, and hydraulic means to actuate said platen comprising a fluid pressure cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected to actuate said platen, a line supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder for actuating said piston, a control valve to control a supply of fluid from said line to said cylinder, a fluid reservoir, 9. low pressure pump connected to receive fluid from said reservoir and to supply said fluid through a check valve to said line, a return line connected becheck valve to said line for initiating the operation of said piston and to cause the piston to be elevated rapidly to molding position, and whereby after the pressure has been built up to a point suflicient to close said check valve the high pressure pump thereafter builds up the predetermined high pressure in said line for molding.

8. A press for molding an electrotype mold on v a type form or the like comprising a stationary head, a vertically moving ram provided with a peripheral flange, a platen carried by said ram and adapted to cooperate with said headfor applying molding pressure to said mold, stop means comprising a pair of stop arms, means inter-connecting said stop arms to permit said stop arms to swing in unison to their operative or inoperative position, means to limit the downward movement oi said arms, means carried by each of said stop arms and adapted to engage beneath said flange and limit the movement of the platen, and means to control the position of said stop arms. I 1

9. A press for molding an electrotype moldon a type form or the like comprising a stationary tween the high pressure side of said pump and said reservoir, :5. pressure-relief valve in said return line to limit the pressure of said pump, a high pressure pump connected to receive fluid irom the high pressure side of said first pump and to supply fluid at a higher pressure to said line, a return line connected between the high pressure side of said high pressure pump and said reservoir, and an adjustable pressure-regulating valve connected in said last return'line to limit the pressure built up by said high pressure pump, whereby the system may be pre-set to supply a predetermined high pressure to said head, a cylindercontaining a vertically moving I ram provided with a peripheral flange, a platen carried by said ram and adapted to cooperate with said head for applying molding pressure to said mold, a pair oi rods carried by said cylinder, a stop arm on each of said rods, means interconnecting said stop arms to permit said stop arms to swing in unison to their operative or inoperative position, a stop on each of said arms to limit the movement of said arm, adjustable means carried by each of said stop arms and adapted to engage beneath said flange and limit .the downward movement of the platen, and a set lever connected to one oi said rods to control the position of said step a GEORGE BUNGAY. 

